Filing for divorce is never easy, but if you have a child that is in high school or considering college, one additional question that you and your spouse must answer during this process is how to pay for your child’s college expenses. States differ on their rules regarding child support for college, and Virginia laws are not particularly helpful in this situation. However, you have other legal options to help Read More
How to Tell People You are Getting a Divorce
Making the decision to divorce your spouse is never easy, but what comes next can sometimes be even more difficult. Figuring out how to tell everyone else in your life — family, friends, coworkers, and others can sometimes feel overwhelming, but there are strategies that you employ to make this process as easy as possible for you and your loved ones. For more help with filing for divorce and all other divorce matters Read More
What are Parental Rights for Unmarried Parents in Virginia?
The parental rights of married parents are easily established in Virginia when a child is born, but the rights of parents who are unmarried are considerably murkier. If you are an unmarried parent of a child and wish to establish your rights to custody, visitation, or support, you need an experienced Virginia family law attorney to zealously advocate for your rights and the rights of your child. Establishing Read More
How Much Does Divorce Cost?
Getting a divorce is often ranked as the single most stressful time in a person’s life. In addition to trying to untangle a number of property distribution, alimony, child custody, and child support issues, you are also trying to continue to live your normal life. One of the most common questions asked by someone contemplating divorce is how much does divorce cost? The answer is that it depends on a number of Read More
How a Lawyer can Help You With the Enforcement of Court Orders
Court orders are an important part of any case, but especially those concerning the collection of a contractual debt, child support, or alimony. A court order mandates the behavior, actions, or payment of one party during and after a case. However, sometimes people do not obey the terms set forth in court orders, and enforcement procedures are necessary to ensure compliance. If you are in a situation in which payment Read More
Mediation vs. Litigation: Which One is Right for You?
In a divorce and other family law situations, the typical method of resolving issues is through traditional litigation. However, more people are opting to try a collaborative method of conflict resolution, known as mediation. Depending on the specific particulars of your case, mediation or litigation may be a better option for you, so it is important to understand the difference in order to make the most informed Read More
Do I Have to Pay Child Support if I Have 50/50 Custody?
The common preference in family law courts in Virginia is to maintain joint custody of a child during and after a divorce. This means that both parents maintain legal and physical custody of their child, and in some cases even splitting time equally, 50/50, between parents. However, an equal split of custody in a joint custody case often leads to questions about the payment of child support between parents. If the Read More
When to Switch from Mediation to Litigation
Divorce mediation can be a great alternative dispute resolution technique to resolve differences during a Virginia divorce negotiation. However, there are times when mediation is no longer an effective technique and you may be required to switch from mediation to traditional divorce litigation. If you suspect any of the following situations are occurring in your divorce mediation case, you should consider speaking Read More
Who Pays for Mediation Costs?
When a couple cannot agree on the terms of their divorce, they can either go through the traditional means of litigating their divorce or opt for the alternative dispute resolution method of mediation. The purpose of divorce mediation is to find collaborative solutions to outstanding issues that will lead to an amicable agreement in the divorce settlement. There are many benefits to utilizing mediation in a Virginia Read More
What is Mediation and How Much Does Court Ordered Mediation Cost?
One of the modern and growing trends in divorce negotiation is the use of mediation in place of traditional litigation. Some couples are opting to try mediation first before traditional court-ordered hearings, while in other situations, the court is ordering couples to try mediation before allowing court divorce hearings. If the court is ordering mediation, it is important to understand how the process works and Read More
